Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive January 2006 - Page 8


Page 8 of 13

Increased sexual competition among flowering plants in biodiversity hotspots may lead to extinctions

A new study finds that high levels of pollen limitation in species-rich regions may lead to extinctions due to insufficient pollination. Plant species in these areas often compete intensely for pollinators, resulting in reduced fruit and seed production. This threatens the survival of not only plants but also animals dependent on them.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 16, 2006

Quality of life associated with long-term survival in patients with head and neck cancer

A study of 200 patients with head and neck cancer found that those with lower quality of life one year after treatment were more likely to die. The researchers discovered a correlation between steady-state QOL and long-term survival, suggesting that adjusting to the diagnosis and treatment may be crucial for better outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateJan 16, 2006

Drug cuts sleep apnea in heart failure patients

A double-blind study found that acetazolamide significantly improved patient perception of sleep quality and reduced daytime fatigue in heart failure patients with sleep apnea. The medication showed promise in reducing sleep-related breathing disorders, which may also improve cardiac function.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 15, 2006

Hispanic asthma rates highest among Puerto Ricans

A study examining asthma rates in Hispanics found that Puerto Ricans have the highest prevalence of asthma, with 31% of school children experiencing current wheezing. The study also found significant differences in asthma rates and disease severity among Hispanic subgroups.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 15, 2006

Researchers identify target for therapeutic drugs to fight most common adult brain cancer

Glioblastoma multiforme, the most common adult brain cancer, has a median survival of about one year after diagnosis. Researchers have identified EGFR as a target for therapeutic drugs, offering new hope for patients. The study found that targeting both mutant and normal EGFR can destroy brain cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCancer Research·DateJan 15, 2006

Weizmann Institute suggests that immune cells help to maintain cognition and brain cell renewal

The study found that T cells recognize brain proteins and recruit resident immune cells to fight off toxic substances, enabling neurogenic regions like the hippocampus to form new nerve cells. This process is linked to local immune activity and may play a role in maintaining learning and memory abilities in adulthood.

Tool developed to silence genes in specific tissues using RNAi

A new tool has been developed to silence genes in specific tissues using RNAi, allowing researchers to determine the function of a single gene in a single tissue without blocking its essential functions in other tissues. This technique could potentially be used in humans to knockdown mutant or overexpressed genes that cause human disea...

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalGenes & Development·DateJan 14, 2006

Anti-adhesive layers leave no hope for insects

Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Metals Research and University of Hohenheim investigate the effect of two-layered crystalline wax on insect attachment. The upper layer contaminates insects' feet, while the lower layer reduces contact area between feet and substrate, resulting in slippery zone that traps insects.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJan 13, 2006

Fat chance of becoming manic-depressive

A team of scientists from the University of New South Wales has identified a gene called FAT that is associated with an increased risk of bipolar disorder. The discovery was made using a multi-faceted approach that included studying families, patients, and therapeutic drug mouse models.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 13, 2006

Hospital volume doesn't explain racial disparity in cardiovascular procedure deaths

Researchers analyzed data from hundreds of thousands of heart surgeries and found African-American patients face a two-fold increased risk of post-procedure death. Despite better access to high-volume hospitals, racial differences in mortality rates remain, highlighting the need for quality improvement beyond hospital volume.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJan 13, 2006

Crater drilling declared major success

The USGS and ICDP successfully retrieved a nearly complete set of core samples from the Chesapeake Bay impact crater, allowing for unprecedented understanding of post-impact sediments and rocks. The recovered core will enable researchers to study global sea-level changes and the distribution of water-bearing units in the coastal plain.

Putting pedestrian safety in the driving seat

The SAVE-U project developed an innovative pre-impact sensing platform that combines sensors, radar, and cameras to protect cyclists and pedestrians. The system can identify potential collisions and apply automatic braking to prevent them, even in challenging weather and light conditions.